Former Hollidaysburg man promotes charity with music
Trending
A former Hollidaysburg man, Robert Long, has used his musical gifts and industry connections to promote donations to food pantries here and elsewhere through a music video in time for food distribution programs' busiest period.
The video "We Can Be Kind" can be seen on YouTube and will be featured on WATM ABC 23 during the 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 "Proclaim!" TV show and on the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese website and its Facebook page.
"I was especially moved by the simple but beautiful way he is reminding all of us to look beyond ourselves and be a source of kindness and support to others," said diocese spokesman Tony DeGol. "In our challenging world, I think we need that message more than ever."
Long previously served as director of music ministries at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and left in 1999 to serve in a similar position at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Since then, he's held similar positions in the New York/New Jersey area. He is the principal organist and choir director at St. Mary's Abbey in Morristown, N.J.
The music video grew out of Long's experiences volunteering at a food pantry in Patterson, N.J., several years ago while on sabbatical.
"It was a very humbling experience," Long said. "All these years I worked in churches and we've always raised money and done food collections. But I was seeing what they did on the frontlines -- on the ground -- and how they were ministering to people through the mission of this pantry."
The idea of the music video grew out of the lyrics to "We Can Be Kind."
"It's a common ground that we can all agree on: Be kind to one another. It's the Golden Rule in practice," he said. The filming was done so it can be used as a public service announcement to raise awareness of the need for pantry volunteers and donations. Most food distribution organizations have seen people in need rise significantly since the pandemic.
"It brings attention to the really terrific work -- the honestly back-breaking work -- that they do in food pantries," Long said. "It's a lot of lifting and carrying and opening skids of food. It's kind of like warehouse work, and a lot of the people are volunteers. It's tough work."
Inspired by Long's video, local food pantries will be featured on "Proclaim!," a 30-minute weekly television show featuring stories about local Catholics.
DeGol, who hosts and produces the show, said, "Bob's video inspired me to highlight some of the local food pantries in conjunction with the airing of his music video on the Nov. 12 show. There are so many wonderful local organizations that serve our brothers and sisters in need. As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, it is a good time to be aware of our neighbors who need a helping hand and those who provide care and compassion."
Long recorded the audio of the song "We Can Be Kind" in 2017 at Data Music Services in Altoona, owned by Dave Villani.
"It's a song that I've loved, and I know the composer. I thought it's a great message for the world today," Long said. Composed by David Friedman, Long had another colleague, Adam Waite, write a new musical arrangement for strings and flute. Regional musicians perform the audio: Sally Williams and Mark Minnich on violin, Carol Lyon on cello and Susan Kroeker on flute.
"Bob and I are friends, and I've recorded him before," Villani said. "He had a great section of musicians assembled. He played at the grand piano and everyone was so well rehearsed."
The locally recorded audio is used in the music video, but other musicians were used in the filming.
Villani said he is "very impressed" with the music video and "the concept is so very rewarding. I hope it is very successful."
A professional flutist, Kroeker of Bellefonte said the musicians had no idea the audio recording would be turned into a music video six years later. While the local musicians were asked to perform in the video, none were able to due to prior commitments.
"Bob sent us the finished product, and I was blown away by how beautifully it was done. It conveys a powerful message," she said.
The musicians seen in the video are Mason Chu and Henry Clyan, violins; Aiden D'Souza, cello; and Lesley Brooks, flute. The music video was directed by Drue Pennella, owner of Pure Motion Pictures, a New Jersey production company.
"We were really lucky to end up with Drue. He is a true professional and part-owner of the production company. He was recommended by a friend of a friend. … He got a feel for what I was trying to portray and made it even better," Long said.
Long and the musicians were filmed in a Benedictine monastery, St. Mary's Abbey Church in Morristown, with food packing and distribution scenes shot at the Father English Food Pantry in Patterson, N.J.
"We knew as we were making it and learning how widespread the need is that we'd offer it to groups to use," said Long, whose passion for music started in second grade, when he learned the guitar by watching an instructional show on PBS. "I really think it could be helpful for a lot of local food pantries to grab their attention and then direct donations to their own pantry."
Growing up as the eldest of 11 children in a music-loving family, Long said he knew at a young age he would pursue music professionally. His mother and her eight sisters did a lot of singing, as did both his grandfathers. His sister, Melissa Ringkamp of Hollidaysburg, is an accomplished soloist locally.
Filming was a new experience for Long. Although accustomed to being filmed when he plays live concerts, the studio recording and subsequent filming offered the luxury of time and more control.
"After 9/11 at St. Patrick's, we would do memorial services and concerts and there was always someone showing up with live cameras. But this was really new to me, actually going into the studio to record the song. There was a bit of a learning curve because you could really take your time and redo it and be a little more of a perfectionist."
Long has worked with Broadway musicians, nationally known singers and other "high level professionals" at St. Patrick's. "It was a great challenge to raise my game and was always very rewarding. For those professionals, it was a treat for them to come in and do sacred music in that setting."
Villani said Long is an exceptionally fine keyboard player and has spent his whole career in sacred music. "He's very, very well-trained, and he's so easy to work with," Villani said.
Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.
The Long file
Name: Robert Long
Age: 62
Residence: Morristown, N.J.
Family: wife, Ann-Marie Long; adult children: Christopher, Matthew and Anna
Education: Hollidaysburg Area High School; bachelor's degree in music education from Susquehanna University in 1983 and master's degree in music from Penn State University in 1990
Occupation: Serves as principal organist and choir director at St. Mary's Abbey, Morristown, N.J., since 2022; previous positions include 20 years as music director for Corpus Christi Parish, Chatham, N.J.; St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, director of music and choir master; Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, director of music ministries
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhyW1pj1aBw